Full size handle preferences?

[knoefz]

My Bk-7 has he standard handles in both black and red.
I like how they function in different conditions.
Some of the different handles I see are estherically more pleasing imho.
On the many pics in these forums I've seen super nice looking handles in wood, micarta, G10 and other material I don't know the name of. I'm wondering about your experiences , what handles are the most functional? And why do you prefer them over the others?

Posting pictures is always nice to make visual what you write about

 

[danny.k]

 

[danny.k]

The stock "plastic" ones are great but the micarta ones from ka-bar has got a lil extra feel and are a bit more aesthetically pleasing to my eyes.

 

[danny.k]

My seven's got blush ones just like yours..

 

[danny.k]

Did put some linseedoil on my micartascales.
Before..

After..

 

[91bravo]

Micarta for me as well. I like the warmth, feel and looks of it. But not all factory micarta is the same.
Micarta handles bought from Tomar's on the left (tannish looking) and bought from Knifeworks on the right (ODish looking).

Micarta pics

 

[Xr6x]

The stock scales are fine and work well but I prefer the looks as well as the feel of Micarta . I also like the the VZs.
View attachment 869737

 

[knoefz]

Is there alot of difference in thickness in all different handles out there?

 

[Xr6x]

KaBar's Micarta and VZs are slightly thicker then the stock grivory scales.TKC full size G-10 scales I've heard are thinner then the stock grivory. Joe at LMF Knives could and would make any thickness you wanted. I think you need Facebook to order from him now. I don't have Facebook. The most resent pair of Large Micarta scales from KaBar I bought fit the knife way better than they did a few years back The 21 has LMF scales made to be as thick as the old Camillus Becker scales using g10 liners. The pic of my 10 has the new KaBar Micarta. I darkened the color with some old oil base wood stain.

 

[knoefz]

KaBar's Micarta and VZs are slightly thicker then the stock grivory scales.TKC full size G-10 scales I've heard are thinner then the stock grivory. Joe at LMF Knives could and would make any thickness you wanted. I think you need Facebook to order from him now. I don't have Facebook. The most resent pair of Large Micarta scales from KaBar I bought fit the knife way better than they did a few years back The 21 has LMF scales made to be as thick as the old Camillus Becker scales using g10 liners. The pic of my 10 has the new KaBar Micarta. I darkened the color with some old oil base wood stain.

You're officially the Beckes scales professor now buddy
Thank for all your insights. Very helpful.
Appreciate it alot.

 

[Xr6x]

I guess I should have mentioned the VZs have the gripping power like glue! I gave mine a tiny little sandpaper love to tone them down just a little. I wish there were more color options. If KaBar is listening VZs in the tweener size would also be nice

 

[Xr6x]

You're officially the Beckes scales professor now buddy
Thank for all your insights. Very helpful.
Appreciate it alot.

Thanks knoefz and your welcome. It's all what you think you want and like

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I prefer the Becker Micarta on mine just a little added texture and very comfortable in my hand to use.

I will second what Jonny mention also not all Micarta comes the same I prefer the tan over that that leans towards the OD green ... I have oiled or lightly dyed a couple sets to darken them slightly. But the best way is a little sweat and dirt and earn that darkening.

 

[Xr6x]

I prefer the Becker Micarta on mine just a little added texture and very comfortable in my hand to use.

I will second what Jonny mention also not all Micarta comes the same I prefer the tan over that that leans towards the OD green ... I have oiled or lightly dyed a couple sets to darken them slightly. But the best way is a little sweat and dirt and earn that darkening.

I also like the natural tan that turned a nice honey greenish. I don't know if it's just what I received or if anybody else has noticed but the large Becker micarta is different now. They now fit the knife without any fitting but beg for a color change the minute you look at them . The tweener micarta is still the same you need to fit em and they will turn a nice shade with use and the same for the 11.

 

[Don W]

I prefer a wood handle. I made my own on my 15, but I am looking to buy something for my full sized Beckers.

 

[19-3ben]

But the best way is a little sweat and dirt and earn that darkening.

I'm gonna disagree slightly. whereas I think the best patinas are the ones that are earned rather than forced, I'll say that when it comes to micarta on an outdoors knife, I always paint mine with a little boiled linseed oil and let the pores in the micarta soak that up as a way to seal out crud.

The last thing I want is a handle that is darkened from old skin oils. If I grab ole' Bob's knife around the camp fire, I don't want to feel like i just grabbed a hand full of his old hand grease, especially when we're camping and he hasn't showered in two days, and hasn't washed his hands post pissing in a bush in Lord knows how long...

I love either TKC G10 because it's easy to clean and much less porous (and i love the grip shapes), or the Kabar micarta, but I'll always let the micarta soak up some BLO so that the pores are clogged up with a relatively clean thing, allowing less room for nastiness (such as "Bob's I didn't wash today hand-grease"...bleh).

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I don't grab ole bob's knife or ole joe's or ole tom's ... that's why I have my own and the micarta do get washed with light soap and water and a toothbrush.

I have used oils and such to color a scale for a specific knife a couple times but those get cleaned the same way.

 

[knoefz]

Wow, the Becker Micarta wins with a big margin so far.
Guess I could have seen it coming, although I expected the stardard grivory to be a bit close in popularity focusing on use.

 

[zfJames]

Wow, the Becker Micarta wins with a big margin so far.
Guess I could have seen it coming, although I expected the stardard grivory to be a bit close in popularity focusing on use.

I actually like my Grivory hande once I spent $3 on some grip tape and wrapped it. I still have two other sets of grip tape to wrap something else... Maybe a BK9?